MLB Trades: Mike Adams to the Texas Rangers for 2 Youngsters San Diego Coveted

The San Diego Padres have done it and at this time, about 3:00pm on July 31, Heath Bell is still a Padre.

Mike Adams was sent to the Texas Rangers in exchange for two pitching prospects that the Padres coveted.

In exchange for Adams, the Rangers sent the Padres Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland. The latter recently pitched a no-hitter against the Padres AA San Antonio affiliate.

Erlin was 8-4 with a 3.34 ERA in 19 starts and one relief appearance in the Rangers minor league system.

Wieland, the Rangers fourth-round pick in 2008, was 10-3 with a 1.80 ERA overall in the minors. With Frisco in the Texas League, Weiland went 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA, allowing 35 hits in 44 innings with a 1.045 WHIP.

The trade will help both teams.

The 33-year-old Adams was having a tremendous season with the Padres.

He is 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA and a 318 ERA+. In his three seasons in San Diego, he is 7-2 with a 1.31 ERA and a 282 ERA+.

Adams has 49 strikeouts in his 48 innings of work, allowing nine walks. Opponents have a .155 batting average against him and have reached base less than 20 percent of the time.

The Padres have added two young arms with great potential. They are rebuilding the right way, which pleases most of their fans.

The Rangers might now have one of baseball’s better bullpens. Despite some recent problems, Neftali Feliz will remain the closer with Adams taking over as his setup man.

Left-hander Darren Oliver adds experience, depth and innings. He is fairly effective against right-handed hitters.

The Rangers kept left Derek Holland, in whom many teams were speculated to have interest. With the addition of Adams, they are clearly the favorites to win the AL West title.